Paul Ryan -- Catholic Schoolyard Bully

My husband, a brilliant man who was a student of Catholic schools and the seminary, could identify schoolyard bullies at first glance. He had been the recipient of their cruel actions in his youth. He repeatedly said that 3 prominent white guys had been Catholic schoolyard bullies -- two from Fox Noise (as he called it), Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity, and in recent years, Paul Ryan. 

I'll let others talk about O'Reilly and Hannity, both rich guys who appear to hate the poor. I base that solely on their own words. Ryan seems to have taken the top spot from those guys in terms of meanness. Although he uses language to make us think he wants what's best for the American people, what I think he's really saying is that if a rich guy isn't quite rich enough, take from the poor and give it to him. If a rich guy might be paying a percentage or two higher in taxes than Ryan thinks he should, take from the poor and give it to him. Medicare and Social Security also have special appeal to him as a way to cut government expenditures so the next war can be funded.

There appears to be no limit to what Ryan will cut in programs for the poor, whether it's food stamps, Head Start, health insurance, or nutrition for children. Never mind that Ryan voted 16 times to fund Bush's disgusting wars. He voted for Bush's Medicare Part D, also off the books, like both of the wars. I guess money's different if it's going to Republican causes. 

Ryan was fortunate to grow up in a wealthy family in Janesville, Wis. What he did to the good people of Janesville, I don't know, but I find it interesting that they know him so well that last November, he couldn't even carry his hometown when he and another rich white guy lost to Obama/Biden. (The only reason he was reelected as a Congressman again is because of Republican gerrymandering, moving his district's outline to incorporate more Republican votes than Democratic ones. This is a successful tactic that will ensure Congress goes Republican for years to come.)

For those who know me well, yes, I was honest when I said I've been trying to stay away from talking about politics because all politicians lie. But politicians like Ryan, bullies that they are, can't help themselves. They've got to be mean to the weakest, oldest and poorest. And I can't help myself writing about them because they're just so hateful and I feel the urge to talk about it. 

But about those schoolyard bullies like Ryan -- they're sociopaths and they're obsessed with being cruel and mean. During school years -- true, bullies are at non-Catholic schools, too -- they've got to keep trying to knock down the kid with glasses, the kid with uncool clothes, the fat kid, the gay kid, so often the poor kids. Many millions of those victims fought back last November when they elected Obama over Romney. They knew mean when they heard it.

Even though I don't particularly care for Obama because of his continuation of the wars and other reasons, at least he appears to be for the poor. True, it could be in words only, but at least he appears to have tried to help them far more than the Republicans who so often these days are part of the mean religious right.

I have to wonder what their favorite religious dude, Jesus Christ, would say about them not helping the poor. Then again, I believe their religious convictions are actually non-existent, there simply to help them get what they want. I say that because they're all against abortion, but once the kid is born, they don't want to take care of him. Those kids are being fed by women who are called names (welfare queens) and their kids are the majority in Head Start and other programs that Republicans, especially Paul Ryan, want to cut.

Mean schoolyard bullies, all of them.

Be Careful, Very Careful, About Who You Hate

Isn't it amazing when a hateful person rages against people he doesn't like and then changes his mind when the hate he spews affects him personally? Such is the case with Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio, who was on the short list to be VP with Romney last year.

Portman voted against same-sex marriage many times and made speeches supporting the Republican platform, which specifically rails against gays getting married. But now he's changed his mind, he said today, because his son is gay.

So, let me get this straight: It's OK to hate an entire group of people based solely on how they were born. But if your own family member is born that way, then you're no longer filled with hate for that group the son belongs to. Do I have that right?

I've never understood how people can hate gays and how they can hate the idea of them getting married. The same group of people will fight for guns, citing the Second Amendment, yet they'll not answer why they don't believe in the Fourteenth Amendment, equal rights for all. They're so hate-filled that they don't even make any sense.

I hope the voters of Ohio will remember what Portman said last year and not this year, and vote the bastard out. He doesn't deserve to be rewarded with anything at all, certainly not the job of Senator in such a pivotal state for national elections. He's a Neanderthal and he should go.

As for Portman's son, I wish him the best in his life as a gay man. He'll need everyone's good wishes, living in that family that never considered the rights of anyone other than those of white males who claim to be religious and upstanding citizens. Be aware of those who put labels on themselves and others. They just might have skeletons in their closets -- or gay people.

My Hero -- Scott Prouty

Not a household name, that's for sure. Scott Prouty. But those who search for heroes in everyday people should look at this guy.

Scott Prouty is the one who was the videographer when Mitt Romney made his now famous remarks about the 47% and the Chinese workers. Many think it's those remarks that put President Obama back in the White House for another 4 years.

Prouty, a native of Boston, but working as a bartender at a Boca Raton, FL fundraiser for Romney last May, was scared enough for his life that he waited 2 weeks before talking with someone about what he had. And anyone who knows what can happen in elections, especially with right-wing zealots, had every reason to be afraid.

Tonight, on the Ed Show on MSNBC, Prouty outed himself in his first interview. He had been offered lots of money to come forward, but he chose to talk with Ed Schultz, for no money, because of Ed's fight for workers' rights.

I think Scott Prouty should be afraid, very afraid. I can't believe he will be left alone by the likes of Hannity, O'Reilly, Palin, Limbaugh, and others who espouse the Republican's chant. While I won't go so far as to say that any of them will call for harm to come to him, you can bet that they'll fire up those on the far right who look for someone to blame for not getting their white guy elected last fall, just not fair that a black guy is still there. Gotta be somebody's fault and here's one guy to blame.

If you didn't see him on TV tonight, I hope you'll check youtube or some other site to see the entire show and listen to this guy. He's smart, he's courageous, and he should be commended for producing something that showed Romney for the guy he really is instead of who he was telling everyone he was.

Prouty said he might want to become a lawyer. I think the DNC should think about providing a scholarship for just that. If not for him, their guy might be writing his memoirs or putting his presidential library together instead of being President of the United States until January 2017.

Thank you, Scott Prouty. We owe you a debt of gratitude and I hope your future is a bright, safe one.

Wealth Inequality Video Tells A Sad Story

Below is the site for one of the best videos ever.

In only 6 minutes, you will get most of the story about the haves and have-nots. Why anyone -- Fox viewers and Limbaugh listeners, take note -- would want more benefits and loopholes for rich people is something I'll never understand.

To my way of thinking, a country can't survive when so few people at the top own so much of everything.

http://blogs.sacbee.com/video-break/2013/03/wealth-inequality-video-goes-viral.html

Clive, Tell Us About Your Moving Experience

You should decorate your new townhouse in mid-50s with turquoise, white and black.

My Heroes -- The Dixie Chicks

From time to time, I will be talking about those people who are heroes in my mind. Today, it's the singing group, the Dixie Chicks. What a bunch of brave women.

While Americans were throwing themselves at the feet of King George The Second (President George W. Bush) for starting the war in Iraq on the heels of the Afghanistan war, the Dixie Chicks, led by lead singer Natalie Maines, said they were against the ill-fated venture, against the violence and bloodshed. For that, they were ridiculed -- blackballed -- and their careers faltered with country music fans, who are some of the most fervent warmongers and Republicans to the core. The Chicks received death threats and one of their homes was vandalized in 2003, when the war was in its shock-and-awe days. 

Soon after the comments from the Dixie Chicks, which they later wrote about in their song, "Not Ready to Make Nice," George the II, in his flight suit with the codpiece, waltzed across that ship off San Diego to declare the war was won, mission accomplished. We know how off the mark that stunt was, don't we? 

To this day, the Dixie Chicks haven't recovered in terms of shows and fortune. When they do play concerts, it's outside the U.S., with their next tour in Canada. 

Does this say how crazy people have become, wanting war and more war, killing brown-skinned people, and supporting the likes of Bush and that evil Dick Cheney? Enough has been written about their wars so I'll leave that subject for others to write about.

For now, I'll just say how much I appreciate the courage it took for the Dixie Chicks to say what some of us in America didn't say 10 years ago. They had the fame to get the attention and they courageously took it. Thanks, girls. You're my heroes. 

I Know, You Know ... Psych Is Back

One of the best shows left on television was on for six years before I discovered it on Netflix. Psych is a fabulous, funny, crazy, quirky comedy/mystery series shown on USA cable network and set in Santa Barbara CA. (Like so many shows these days, however, it's filmed in Vancouver BC.) 

Before I discovered Psych -- all 6 seasons are on Netflix instant watch -- I hadn't heard of either lead actor, James Roday or Dule Hill, who play best friends since childhood, Shawn and Gus, respectively. There hasn't been a duo that puts forth more energy and just plain good acting in decades. And the scripts, fast-paced and always dealing with unusual mysteries and murders, keep us guessing right to the end. In between the lines, there's a lot of obscurity.

Shawn is a psychic detective (sort of) for the Santa Barbara Police Department, and Gus, a pharmaceuticals salesman, is his partner, and sometimes straight man, in the escapades. They're constantly in trouble with the police department and the bad guys. Always on the lookout for free food, they eat at crime scenes, at the morgue, wherever they can find food, usually in the form of snacks -- Doritos, churros, pizza cheese fries, jerk chicken, chalupas, smoothies. Pineapple in various forms appears in each episode.

Shawn and Gus recite obscure quotes from 80s movies and compare people they meet to 80s actors. A romance develops between Shawn and Juliet, a policewoman on the SB force. The actors Roday and Maggie Lawson, who plays Juliet, are real-life romantic partners, which might add to the authenticity of the various scenes between the two of them although the romance part, thankfully, is kept to a minimum. 

I could write a lot more about this favorite show of mine, but it's one of those things that you have to see for yourself. No one can tell you about all the innuendos, subtle jokes and the obvious ad libs that combine with everything else to make the show such an all-around hit. You know that's right.

Season 7 starts on USA cable this Wednesday night, Feb. 27, but you've got to watch all 6 seasons on Netflix first. I don't know if this season will be as good as the rest, however, so far, season 6 is the best. Seeing how those guys operate, and the rest of the crew too, I have no doubt I'll play season 7 over and over on my DVR. Supposedly, they'll make a season 8 and that probably will be it because there's just so long two 30-something guys can act so childish and hilarious and not be resigned to maturity. 

I'm so happy I found Psych because the selection out there, on TV or Netflix, is pretty dismal. It will be a long time before another series comes along that entertains me as much as this one. By the way, my favorite episode is Last Night Gus, #2 of season 6, and the whackiest scene with Shawn and Gus is in episode #9 of season 1. It'll psych you out in the end.

Eat Your Vegetables ... And Then Some

It's interesting being a vegetarian. Some people think that means I eat chicken and turkey, but not beef or pork. They think I might eat red meat if it's organic. Others think I'm vegan, meaning I don't eat dairy or eggs. And still others believe I subsist on pasta and broccoli every day. 

Once my husband I went to a banquet where we had requested vegetarian. While others were eating big steaks with baked potatoes and asparagus, we were served steamed broccoli and a big chunk of Jello. I needn't tell you what happened to the Jello after being alongside the hot broccoli for a few minutes. We never knew whether we were being punished for being so bold as to ask for a non-meat dinner or the cook simply had a ridiculous idea of what vegetarians eat. You know the most interesting part of what we were served? Jello is made from the bones, skins and hides of cows and pigs. 

In a future post, I'll write more about my decision to become a vegetarian 11 years ago. But for now, I'm going to share my favorite dish to take to a luncheon or potluck, for vegetarians and meat eaters, as well. I adapted the recipe from Casa de los Ninos restaurant in Sacramento, one of my top 10 favorite restaurants.

This casserole, which I call a bake because the word casserole has taken on a bad reputation (I can't imagine why), is an easy dish to make and I guarantee there won't be any left at the end of the meal. There is one ingredient that you must be careful about -- the marinated artichoke hearts. Stay away from Cara Mia brand and other cheapies. Select any of the Italian brands (or even Reese) because they don't slip in those obnoxious, tough leaves that are impossible to chew. 

It's a foolproof recipe and one vegetarians will appreciate because it shows you put some thought and work into making something other than another pasta or rice combo. 

My Artichoke-Spinach Bake

3 jars (about 7 ounces each) marinated artichoke hearts, drained (be sure any leaves are soft)

2 packages (about 16 ounces each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, then drained by squeezing out liquid

2 packages (8 ounces each) real cream cheese, softened (don't use whipped)

5 tablespoons butter, at room temperature

3/4 cup milk

1/2 cup shredded fresh Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup sliced almonds

Butter or Pam-spray a 9x13-inch baking pan (I use glass). Spread drained artichoke hearts on bottom of pan, then place drained spinach over artichoke hearts.

With electric mixer, beat cream cheese, butter and milk until creamy and smooth. Spread the mixture over spinach. Sprinkle Parmesan over cream cheese mixture, then top with sliced almonds. Cover and refrigerate overnight or up to 24 hours. 

Next day, remove the foil or plastic wrap covering the casserole. Bake it in a preheated 350-degree oven for 1 hour. Remove dish from oven and serve. Makes 12 good-sized servings.

Being A Good Widow

I can't seem to do it right. This widowhood stuff. 

No one teaches us these things. No one tells us we have only so long to get over life-changing grief. No one says we'll be judged and chastised if we don't get over our grief quickly, certainly within society's imposed timeframe.  We've got a set length of time and that's it. 

Losing one's husband isn't bad enough on its own, with the loneliness, the decisions to make all on your own, the never-before-tried ways to fill the long days. In addition to those life changers, there seems to be an unwritten rule that a widow has a very short window of opportunity to be miserable, to grieve. Then it's time to stand straight, smile and shut the fuck up. To do anything else looks like whining -- they say. 

Well, I say this. Kiss my widow's fat ass. 

I've read that the death of a spouse is the #1 worst thing to happen to a person in their lifetime. Divorce is #2. I went through that one too, but it can be a post for another time. What I want to say here is how people ask how I am and I'd better say fine and then talk about them or they'll respond with something about their friend who lost her husband 40 years ago and she's doing great or an aunt who took off traveling soon after the uncle died and she never looked back. Good for them. But I don't care.

Soon after my husband died, in an effort to handle what had happened, I found this site:

http://silverreflection.tripod.com/reflections/id10.html

Things Not To Say To A Widow is great, but guess who's reading it. The widows. Those who are talking to the widows, and saying everything they shouldn't, aren't reading the site. And why should they? After all, they know women who haven't had a tough time recovering and that's enough for them to think that all widows should be like those women. 

I missed my chances to say something similar many years ago, when female friends were complaining about bloating and puking when they were pregnant. I should have said I never had a moment of nausea during my pregnancy and the women I've known did just great -- and they should too. I wonder how they would have liked that.

These days, I never talk about how I'm feeling. I say I'm fine when asked how I am, and nothing more. I might not be a "good" widow, but I'm an educated one. No one wants to hear me say one single sentence about what it's like for me. It might make them uncomfortable. They might have to think about someone other than themselves. 

Perhaps I should be more accepting because no one talks about death at all. It's still in the shadows, lurking there like some giant blob, ready to slither under the door at some inopportune time. If we don't talk about it, it will go away. But death hits all of us at some time. We can't get away from it. How we react to it is an individual decision and best left up to the person grieving. Hell, I'm still grieving over pets that died when I was young. If you don't think that's healthy, I don't care. 

So, there you have it, my thoughts on being a widow and how I'm not a very good one because I don't follow the "rules". I'll try to smile more, laugh more, become more engaged in listening to what others are doing. Now, you know I won't do that. Even before my husband passed away, I was to the point of not much caring what others thought of me. Today, I'm all the way there. 

I never wanted to be a widow and I doubt I'll ever be a good one. 

Feeding the Beastie

Black princess cat Samantha, the sweetest and gentlest little feline, 14 years old, has been a puker for a long time. That and a cougher, seemingly choking up every other day or so. Late last year, after cleaning up after her maybe 4 times a day, I decided something had to change. 

I was giving her 2 or 3 hairball treats daily, but it appeared she was needing to get rid of hair more and more frequently. She's a shorthair, but she was licking herself frequently and ingesting a lot of hair. I think perhaps her guts were bothering her and she was licking a lot to relieve the stress in that area. Just a guess, but it's probably a better guess than that of a vet.

I looked for remedies online. After reading numerous posts, I put together my exclusive, magic formula: 

I feed her small amounts of canned food, usually a rounded teaspoonful, 6 or 7 times a day, making sure that I use a clean dish each time. Cats are finicky and as they age, they get even finickier. A clean dish is a must. You don't want to mix foods either. They get confused by that.

Also each time, I drizzle olive oil over the food, perhaps 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon. I also discovered that extra virgin olive oil has too strong a taste for cats. The olive oil that says for sauteing and grilling is perfect. Pour it into an oil dispenser for ease of drizzling the olive oil onto the food. 

As for the food she eats, she's become a real fan of the type with gravy. In fact, she refuses to eat most other kinds, exception being Fancy Feast Turkey & Giblets, and Fancy Feast Aristocats Chicken. Sometimes she just eats the gravy and leaves the meat, which must be really foul. I believe the kind of meat put into pet food is disgusting and comes from who knows where on the animals. Even though I'm a vegetarian, I do feed her meats because cats can't survive in good health eating only grains and greens. 

I put a small amount of dry food in a bowl for her to have as she likes, although she no longer eats much of it because of all the canned food servings. I give her only the Blue brand for Indoor Cats, available at pet stores. That brand has meat as its first ingredient(s) where most dry cat foods have rice and other non-meat items as the first few ingredients. Cats aren't made for that.

In addition to the olive oil trick, I give Samantha the hairball treats each time I feed her, 2 treats one time, 1 the next, and so forth. The brand is Temptations and the foil packet says Hairball Control on it. These are carried alongside the canned cat food in any supermarkets. Along with the hairball treats, each time I also add 1 Whiskas dental treat (chicken flavor in foil packet), which is crunchy and she really likes it. It does nothing for her teeth, but it adds to her enjoyment.

Once a week, or sometimes every two weeks, I brush her with a soft brush, the type that's available at pet stores. Even though she's a shorthair, she does need to be brushed, but not daily. I've read where daily brushing a shorthair cat can cause them to stop grooming themselves. 

Fresh water is a must too. I keep a bowl of fresh water by her food dishes. And, crazy person that I am, I also keep a large mug of fresh water on the table behind my chair in the living room. She seems to drink most from that and I know she's getting enough water that way. Cats are notorious for not drinking enough. They don't get thirsty like dogs do.

Stopping her puking and coughing took some time, trying various remedies. It's not 100% effective because she has vomited once in the past 6 weeks. But I consider that a major success. Although every little cat is different, I believe this formula will work for any of them. The important thing is to watch and learn. They're telling us what they need, if only we'll pay attention.